Summery preppy tunic dress

8.24.2010

A long time ago, I bought the Cynthia Rowley pattern Simplicity 2584 because it's super cute! And tunic and sheath dresses were way in last summer. I was a little hesitant to make it for a while since it's so clearly recognizable and iconic to anyone who buys Simplicity patterns--I'm sure many of you recognize it. But then I figured, whatever.

Sheath dresses are super easy to make and require very little fabric, so it was an easy project and took what felt like an hour, except for the pointed yoke part, which was a little bit time consuming just to get a grasp of at first.

It's super cute and fun and all, but I don't understand why it's so low-cut! He-llooo, how am I supposed to wear a bra with this? ;) I wore a tank under it for the picture, but that takes away from some of the sleek-ness and simplicity. I may add something small underneath and hand-stitch, to close up the V somewhat, but I don't really want to do that, either. Any thoughts?

So, be warned, if you make this pattern, don't cut it ANY lower than the pattern suggests, and try it on before you clip it all the way!

Oh, well the part of the bra that shows is the very center, so a bandeau would be much higher than a plunge or deep V bra. But, I guess if it were a meant-to-show kind of thing in white, it would be cute and give the same look as a little tank without the bulk!

I made another of the Cynthia Rowley dress patterns and thought the same thing. The cut was so low (and I'm not extremely modest or anything). I just hand-stiched it together until I felt comfortable with the cut.

Would it detract from the style if you used some larger hook and eyes to close up the bottom to a less deep plunge. Just a thought. I don't think the tank detracts that much. It is a pretty cute style.

I think the tank underneath looks fine. So many fashions these days are geared towards the layering look. If you want to lose the bulk, you could get a little piece of lace and/or solid fabric to sew on the underside of the tunic's yoke to make the APPEARANCE of having a cami/tank underneath.

Thanks for the info--it's funny, I actually bought this pattern YESTERDAY so I will take warning about the low V thing. And I'm extremely tall so I will lengthen it too. I'm seeing it looking pretty good with leggings. Whereas yours took a couple hours to complete, mine will most likely take days with my limited sewing skills : )

I LOVE this pattern! I made this dress & top version in the spring & got a lot of compliments on it. It IS lowcut!!! I made mine not so low. Not sure why it's like that.Yours looks great! I love the blue & white together!

Just wondering what kind of interfacing did you use for the placket....I have been using "so sheer", and it gives a bit more softer look. To close up the front opening, sew it closed from the inside of the placket with invisable tacking stitches just enough to wear a bra, then it will open naturally

Thanks!!I used fusible interfacing, fairly stiff, ironed on to the outside layer. The problem with just closing it up from the bottom of the slit is, it's cut on a slight angle to the neck edge, where it's 1-2" apart. So it wouldn't close up discreetly without puckering. I think I'm going to stick to a white tank under...

This was actually the first dress I ever made, super easy & stylish pattern! You're right, it is really low, but it looks great with a pretty cami under it (kind of goes with the whole tunic look anyway).

You did an amazing job!!! This post has considering to make it again, this pattern would look great in Fall colors.

instead of a white tank, you could try a white lace insert sewn into the neckline, or possibly sew a row of thin white lace trim along the inside of the neckline to somewhat fill in the gap and camouflage the skin underneath with completely closing it off.Or wear a lace cami bra like the ones from Soma Intimates (http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=5&pageId=1&productId=500001779&viewAll=&prd=Ciao+Bella+Camisole+Bridget+Lined+Underwire+Lace+Bra&subCatId=cat5469275&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=1&catId=cat40089&cat=Bras+Lace+Cami+Bras&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=). I LOVE mine and wear it constantly under any top that's a bit too low in the neckline. Or you might be able to find a half-cami that just slips over a regular bra.